College planning strategies to save like an advisor

By Stacey Pittman, CFA, CFP, CPWA, Managing Director, BT Wealth Advisors As a wealth advisor and the mom of a college freshman (Go Gators!), I am acutely aware of the challenges of planning for college. In speaking with clients, I emphasize that education planning is often the most challenging of the areas of financial planning.

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Father’s Day gift ideas from designer brands

Holidays have a habit of creeping up on us. With that in mind, in case you forgot, Father’s Day is this Sunday. You’re welcome. While it’s the thought that counts, if the dad in your life has finer tastes, luxury brands have shared their gift guides to help with ideas. Here are some of our

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How the pandemic spurred the ‘Great Relocation’ to Tampa Bay

By Ali St Cyr, Broker/Owner at Tomlin St Cyr The pandemic has changed the housing market indefinitely. From what people want in their homes to where they want to live, the real estate industry has transformed over the past two years. Now homes are for working, learning, exercising, entertaining and more. And Florida, particularly Tampa

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Tampa Bay Bowl announces Reliaquest as title sponsor (PHOTOS)

The Tampa Bay Bowl announced Reliaquest as its title sponsorship, changing its name to Reliaquest Bowl. The announcement was made today at a live press conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. “Reliaquest is a leader in cybersecurity and a key business leader in the Tampa Bay region,” said Troy Atlas, the Bowl Association chairman. “This

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The art of ownership transition

By Jeff Servais, principal, and David Laugtug, principal, CLA In the life of a business, ownership transition is inevitable. Whether selling to private equity or to the next generation of your family, someone else, at some point in time, will own your company. Most owners don’t realize how this process, often highly emotional, balances a

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“Exit” on your mind!

By Taylor K. Ranker, II, President, Questmont Strategic Wealth Advisors Is it a good time to sell your business, what with increasing interest rates and spiking inflation? Last year was an all-time, record high for business sales and M+A but is 2022 still good? For a successful exit, 3 things should be ready: the mental

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Humanity at its finest

Mariagrazia Lauricella had no intentions of establishing a nonprofit organization, but a trip to South America changed that. In 2012, she made a trip to Argentina that changed not just her life, but the life of many others. At the time, Lauricella had a business that sold artwork and a portion of her sales would

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LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort is Naples’ sleepy secret (PHOTOS)

One of the benefits of living in Florida is that you can leave your “home” paradise for a new, different, paradise when the mood strikes you, easily. And you only need a few hours to do so. With that in mind, Naples presents a wonderful option. Only 2½ hours south of Tampa Bay, you’ll find

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The Ellison men of EWI Construction talk family, business and more

The dictionary definition of a father is as follows: one who loves, supports, guides, encourages and inspires his child or children. Sam Ellison, patriarch of the Ellison family, checks all those boxes and more. His eldest son, Casey Ellison, established EWI Construction, in Tampa, in 2007. His younger son, Cory, joined big brother as the

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Commercial real estate and the Tampa office market

By Joanne LeBlanc, director at Colliers International During my 30+ years in Tampa, I have never experienced a more exciting time to be in this area than now. Tampa has been ranked a #3 place to relocate in the U.S. and The Economic Development Council reports 200 people a day moving to the region. Attracting

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2023 Tampa Bay Bowl to kickoff January 2 at noon

The Tampa Bay Bowl Game will be played on Monday, January 2, 2023, at Raymond James Stadium. The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. and telecast nationally on ESPN2 TV. The Bowl will match teams from the SEC vs either the Big Ten or ACC. The game also generates tens of millions of dollars

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Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl announces 2022 game date

The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl will be played at Raymond James Stadium on Friday, December 23, with a kickoff time to be announced at a later date. The game, owned and operated by ESPN Events, will air on ESPN. “We’re still feeling the excitement from this past season’s sold-out crowd at Raymond James Stadium

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